The Perversion of September Eleventh

This is a blog post that never in my dreams I would ever have imagined I would need to write. On a day where I cannot help but want to break down into sobs because of fifteen years ago. 

I cannot I am being forced to write this blog post because of the despicable individuals perverting this day.

Today is September Eleventh 2016. 

It is Sunday, the Lord's Day, fifteen years later.

It is a Tuesday morning I will never forget. 

My heart is heavy, burning, and wanting to explode from and in grief this morning. 

It is the most vivid day of my life. September Eleventh 2001. I remember it more than any other day. It was so horrifying and heartbreaking.

It was the day everything, and I mean everything, changed.

Then, to see where we have come as a nation. To think players in the NFL are protesting our flag... today of all days! 

I feel like Jeremiah, the weeping prophet.

September Eleventh 2001 should have brought us to unceasing  prayer permanently. 

Now, people are kneeling in protest on this day of all days! Turning September 11th into a day of protest. How dispicable. We deserve whatever judgment God wants to give us. We have fallen so far.

Today of all days, we should unify and stand strong as a nation. We should stand in one solid line, hand in hand, showing our unity. We should stand together and not allow anything or anyone to break our bond as a nation. And we should be begging for forgiveness as we confess the sins of our nation. 

Instead, we are protesting our nation on the day nearly 3,000 Americans were murdered by Islamic terrorists. We are protesting the flag when all of the military personnel gave their hearts and lives to the war that followed in response to 9/11. 

We protest when our military still has nightmares from having to go to war to defend our nation. A war we had to fight because we could not ignore September Eleventh. 

I refuse to watch football today. I am a fan, let me add.

To watch football when our military shed blood and lost lives for September Eleventh would be truly deplorable. I will not support what they are protesting.

3,000 Americans lost their lives. Innocent Americans. People like you and me. 

They were innocent and our NFL wants to turn this into a racial divide?

What ever happened to us being ONE nation UNDER God?

One nation. United together.

Do you want to know my ethnicity? I am American! Not white. American! 

I stand for those lost on September 11th and for those who fought the war because of 9/11. 

I refuse to make September Eleventh about me or injustices. It is about them alone. 

Memorial Day

Please stop and remember all those who have served this great nation and the sacrifice they made.

Take a few minutes to acknowledge how we would not have the luxuries we have today if not for them.

Freedom is not free. It costs. They paid the ultimate price. For you and for me. For our families and friends. For our nation.

Remember... so they did not die in vain.

My Personal Journaling on Memorial Day (A Christian Perspective)

I am heavy hearted thinking of those who died for me and my freedom.

Earthly representatives of what Jesus Christ did for me. 

They sacrificed their lives so I might live. 

Oh, how I take this for granted. I do not mean to, but do.

Shouldn't I live a fuller, more abundant life because of their sacrifice? I do not want their sacrifice to be in vain.

Shouldn't I look at what Jesus Christ did for me in the same manner and live a fuller, more abundant life because of Him and how He died so I can live? 

And, isn't this what my journaling offers and helps me achieve?

Thoughts to ponder for a long, long time on this Memorial Day. 

Go ahead and journal your thoughts. 

Memorial Day: A Journal Prompt or Exercise

Remember those who have served in the U.S. Military and those who have given their lives for your freedom. After all, without their serving, we would have none.

Journal about them, this, and why and how you are grateful.

Count the blessings you have because of them.

Do you know someone who paid the cost? Remember them now. Journal.

If you do not know anyone personally who died, you can still take several moments today to remember, thank God, and journal about what they did for you and how they did it for your freedom.

What do you take for granted about your freedom?

People have given their lives for us and our freedom. This should make us live every moment differently. Shouldn't it?

Remember those families who have lost someone in war. This day is for them. Not for us.

‘American Sniper’ Wife Taya Kyle’s Anniversary Note to Her Late Husband Goes Much Deeper Than Love

http://www.ijreview.com/2015/03/274118-american-sniper-wife-tara-kyles-anniversary-note-late-husband-goes-much-deeper-love/?source=EMshare

Beautiful.

Blessings,
--Stacy Duplease

Email:
agodlyvision@gmail.com
rememberingyourpresent@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://rypstories.blogspot.com
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HDX Tablet

USA JOURNALING 2015 #2: FIERY STRUGGLES

USA JOURNALING 2015 #2: FIERY STRUGGLES

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A FIERY BLOG ABOUT FIERY TOPICS
I am afraid I am stepping right into the flame with this journal blog. After all, the topics are fiery ones. But, fiery stuff should be addressed, not avoided. Since it is fiery, it's all the important for me to think through. 

That being said, it is a little scary to be so open and honest about these topics. It's my journaling thoughts. It's stuff I'm pondering and trying to delve into and make sure I know what I believe, why, and if it's something I should believe. 

What I say in this blog is my opinion. I will respect your opinion. Please respect mine, even if I am wrong. I am struggling through these issues and am trying to find my way. This blog is the story of my journey as I search my heart and address the topics that are fiery.

I hope we can look at these questions and topics with open minds and hearts.

I hope we can think every thought through thoroughly and completely--not just what feels comfortable, good, or what we want--and do so with logic, not emotion.

I hope we can form our own informed opinions based off of our own fact based research, and is not based off of the opinion of someone else.

I want to really think through these things and see if what I believe is true and if it is what I should believe at all. Should I believe what I do and why should I? Then, I will address: What should I do with my beliefs, if anything? Also, another thing I want to address is: How should I live as a Christian American today? 

Pardon me as I walk through the flame and address topics that are fiery. No one ever promised life would be easy, fair, or pretty. I will not lie. Writing this blog makes me feel uneasy. It's so fiery. But, enough is enough. These are topics we should all think through, no matter how uneasy and uncomfortable it might be. 

It would be easy for me not to pursue these journaling thoughts in a public format. However, I think these topics are issues we all should address if we are American, particularly if we are Christian Americans. I want to stop writing this blog now. It makes me uneasy to address these things. I don't have a degree in history, political science, or Constitutional law. I am not in the U.S. military. I am just an average everyday journal keeper and house manager (stay-at-home wife). So, who am I to address these things?

I am a concerned Christian American and taxpayer who wants to make sure I think things through and form correct, informed beliefs and take a real stand. This is my attempt to do all of that--no matter how fiery. (But, it sure makes me feel uneasy.) 

So, how about you? What do you believe and why regarding God and country?
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QUESTIONS: THIS IS THE OVERALL THEME OF THIS BLOG
I have questions and am searching for answers. 

What does it mean to be a Christian American today? This is the underlying question on my mind. 

I am biased with some of my beliefs. I acknowledge this and will not pretend otherwise or try to deny it or ignore it. Regarding some of my beliefs, I have always had them. Just because I have always had them, it does not mean I am right. Hence, I think it is important to address all of my beliefs periodically--about what I believe, why, if it is the correct belief to have, and how I should apply the belief to my life. This is my attempt to do so. 
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STRUGGLES WITH BEING A CHRISTIAN AMERICAN

Written January 22, 2015, Thursday, 945 a.m. 

I am struggling with what it means to be a Christian American in today's world. What does this even look like? 

Long pause. 

I do not even recognize the country anymore. Everything that made the United States so great seems to have been thrown out with the bathwater. What made this country so great, and a superpower, has been forgotten and is no longer an ideal. Never mind how we no longer seem to be a Christian nation. 

Why is capitalism no longer the ideal when it was precisely what made the USA so great? 

The fact the USA was a Christian nation was also what made her great. How could lies be spread about this and how can anyone not believe the USA was set-up as a Christian nation? How is no one believes truth?

How is it people are more apt to spat what Hollywood, a singer, an author, a blogger, a news team, or a study says than discover the facts and truth for themselves? 

How is it hard work isn't an ideal any longer?

Why do Americans think hand-outs, not hand-ups, are the only way and/or are the best way? 

When did all of this happen? Why? How?

What part have I played in the new shallowness and me-centered focus of this PC driven country?

Where is the church in this whole mess?

What about terrorism?

What about elections, politics, government, and current affairs?

Where should I stand? Where am I standing? 

Is there any hope for the USA? 

Can we change and made this a God fearing and worshipping nation once again?

What does it mean to be an American?

What does it mean to be a Christian American? In the past (in history) and today?

What is my role?

What do I think and believe and why?

I am struggling. I have more questions than answers. 

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering your Present, LLC 2015.) 
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WRITING ABOUT THE U.S.

Written January 22, 2015, Thursday, 1011 a.m.

The USA is my passion. Everything about her. I was raised by patriots and have married a patriot. It's in my blood. After all, my family has been here since 1607. 

For years, I've known I need to write about the United States of America. I just haven't been sure how. I think this new blog is my attempt at accomplishing this pull, this drive, this endeavor (not sure what to call it). 

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CURRENT EVENTS:  A CIVIC DUTY

I was raised with reading, watching, learning, thinking about and through, and talking about current events every single day and I continue in that tradition. Current events matter. 

It is important to be informed and stay informed. Hence, watching and reading the news each day is crucial. I try to listen to both sides of the story and form my own opinions on the subject at hand. 

Not watching or reading the news is sacrilege from where I come from. Not being personally informed is inexcusable. It's my civic duty as an American. What do I have to offer my nation if I am not personally informed on both sides of the issue? What do I have to offer my nation if I do not think things through--and do so through the light of history, the historical documents and writings and speeches of the founding fathers and mothers, and the Bible? 

And, do Americans even have the concept of civic duty any longer? Does anyone know what it means? Do they live it? I ask those questions and turn the mirror to face me. Do I? 

I was taught how to form my own opinion. I was taught to look at every side and angle of every issue and figuring out what is fact. Then, it's my job to figure out what I believe on that subject, in other words, the stand I want to take on the subject. 

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LEARNING THINGS FOR MYSELF

I was taught not to listen to anyone else. It's my civic responsibility to form my own informed opinions. I am not supposed to listen to teachers, politicians, the news, Hollywood, or anyone else, includes what studies, polls, or research say, in order to form my opinion. Yes. I need to know what everyone says, that is part of current events, as a matter of fact. But, I am to form my own opinion through thinking things through, through learning fact and not opinion, through logical thinking and not emotional thinking. I am to look at things through the lens of history (world and American) and through the historical documents and the Founding Fathers and Mothers of this nation, along with biblical eyes--not through only the lens of current events. 

History and historical documents shape current events.

Not knowing history and the historical documents, the context, means I form false opinions and take incorrect stances on an issue. 

Also, here is the most important part: When I form my stance on the issues of current events, through the learning of fact from history, I am to be prayerful (that's prayer-FULL). It's about looking at things through the lens of the Bible and making sure my stance lines up with the Lord and His will. So, as I educate myself on the current event topic, I am to pray and read the Bible and see what it says about current events, as I also look at the historical documents of the USA and what the Founding Fathers and Mothers said and wrote. 

This is what it truly means to be an American, perform my civic duty, and live as a productive member in society. It's being educated on the current events and history, knowing what God says about them, and making sure I take a stand. 

I am never to take someone else's opinion as my own. I am to form my own opinion--based off of fact, not emotions or wants. 

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"AMERICAN SNIPER"

Written January 22, 2015, Thursday, 1101 a.m.

Last Friday night, I saw the movie,  "AMERICAN SNIPER" based off of the life and autobiography of Chris Kyle, the most successful sniper in U.S. military history. 

I rate it ten stars out of ten. 

The movie showed the life of Chris Kyle as a sniper, as a patriot, as a Christian, and as a family man. It was a portrayal of an American hero. 

I snicker when I call him a hero. I know he would deny that he was a hero and would almost be ashamed to be called one. He was humble. I know he would be uncomfortable if he read my words. He would say it was all about them (the guys in the fight), and for our nation (the USA), and was not about him. This is what makes him a hero. His selfless sacrifice doing the and seeing the most vile, incomprehensible, horrendous, nightmarish thing of fighting for this nation was what made him a hero. 

Not many could do what he did.

Not many wives could stand by and support their man doing what he did. 

Let me add how his wife, Taya, is the hero as well. Her husband could not have done what he did if not for her, her love, and support. 

What he did was--hell. It was the nightmare of nightmares. It was the unspeakable. 

But, he did it.

It had to be done. 

The cost of not doing it was what drove him. 

He did what others could not, would not do. 

I am sitting here in my nice and cushy house, happy as can be, living the Christian life in the USA, listening to my turtles swim, my beagle and cat snore, drinking coffee, writing my personal thoughts and opinions, praying for my country and the military, and am getting ready to go eat Italian sausage (pork) pretty soon--all because of him and all the other men and women veterans who did what they had to do for the war against terrorism. It's all because of what they did that I have the freedoms I have today. It's because they didn't back away from the fight and bury their heads in the sand and pretend it wasn't happening. It's because of them and all the other veterans who served with them and before them. I have the quality of life I have right now, in this moment, because of all of them--the silent, humble, inspirational, driven heroes. 

Thank you, U.S. Veterans--and Chris and Taya Kyle. 

Talk about humbling. I do not deserve their sacrifice or service. I am so unworthy. 

But, isn't that the point? The USA was founded with the belief that all men and women are created equal. Everyone, no matter how much we disagree with some, deserves freedom as the next guy or gal. Every one. Without exception. 

ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED EQUAL IN THE USA

The only way that all men and women can be equal here in the USA is for us to fight for our freedoms, and not turn a blind eye when not every single individual gets the same amount of freedom. We are to take a stand and make sure that every person is free. 

ALL people are created equal. ALL without exception. 

Hence, if a group of people has vowed to kill off, murder, destroy, everyone who is not like them, then they are saying only they are the only people who matter and not everyone is created equal. People who want to murder others because of a differing belief, and who refuse to not allow everyone to be treated as though they are created evil, are the enemies of freedom. In this case, the USA has to take a stand for the people who do not get the equality under those murderers. The USA has to fight for the right of being equal. 
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FREEDOM AND EQUALITY COST 

Freedom is not free. It costs. The cost, unfortunately, is blood for time to time. This is where the U.S. military comes to forefront. They fight so every man and woman can be equal, even where others do not want this, for everyone deserves equality. 

Now, the question is: Does America have true equality in the USA today? Does every American have equal rights? 

"AMERICAN SNIPER" was rich with these themes and questions (and more, of course). 

Current events are ripe with these themes and questions as well.
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WHAT GOT ME THINKING THIS WEEK

Written January 22, 2015, Thursday, 435 p.m.

I do not understand how anyone could ever come out and criticize or question snipers (or the U.S. military) and their place in the war against terrorism after September 11th, 2001 and after terrorists (or ISIL or Al Qaeda or any others) kidnapping, beheading, and/or torturing innocents--including children, women, and others who do not believe what they do. I do not care if the innocents are American, British, purple, or have eight arms. The color, shape, size, nationality, gender, age, beliefs, of the individuals who suffer under terrorism of any kind do not matter. Everyone deserves to be protected and deserves freedom and equality. Everyone without exception. Snipers and the U.S. military help these innocents. And, they have been criticized. Pardon?

That's precisely what happened this week. 

This disturbs me.

All week, I have gone around in a funk because of this. I do not get it.

What disturbs me even more is how little attention this has been given in the media. 

Have you been stopped in your tracks--and been shocked and appalled by this this week? 

I have not heard the Church address this either, which really disturbs me. 

I also have not read any Christian blogs discussing this. Which, of course disturbs me. 

I am disturbed. Greatly. 

Silence is not the answer. When was Jesus ever silent about a social issue? When did Jesus command us to be silent about a social issue? Silence is not the answer. Silence never solved anything. Rather, reasonable, logical, thought-full dialogue does. (The problem lies in if the other party does not think logically and refuses to try to listen to your side.) 

We are to speak the truth--with love. Not just speak the truth. The truth can hurt. That's why it's supposed to be spoken with love. It tries to minimize the hurt with love and tenderness. 

Christian Americans, are we asleep at the wheel? Or, are we just flat-dab out to lunch and have our heads buried in the sand, with our big behinds up in the air with a bull's eye painted on them as we try to live in denial?

Christian Americans, are we so scared to offend that we have totally ignored the teachings of Jesus Christ?

Speaking out against snipers or the U.S. military, who are defending innocents, is wrong as you can get. Now speaking out for them is also wrong. 

How have we gotten to this place? 

Why are we not more disturbed?

What can I do to make a difference? 

What can you do to make a difference?

It's time to think--really think--thoroughly think--and do some serious soul searching. Are we truly living our faith? If we were, wouldn't we be outraged about all of this? 

And, why on earth is the Patriots deflate-gate more news worthy than everything I just mentioned? And, do not get me started on the State of the Union Address, which I will address shortly. (I am a major football fan, let me add.)

Really?

How did we ever get here, America? What part have I played? What part have you?
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"AMERICAN SNIPER" (THE MOVIE) AND ME: MY STRUGGLES WITH BEING A CHRISTIAN AMERICAN TODAY
Written January 22, 2015, Thursday

Please bear with me as I continue with my ramblings about "AMERICAN SNIPER" the movie and book, and the musing that arise from both. After all, it is because of the movie that I am realizing how desperately I need to get my struggles down on the page. For, I am struggling with what it means to be a Christian American today. I want to try to think things through, ask questions, find answers, and put things into practice.

"AMERICAN SNIPER" has made me ask myself a question: Would I be willing to do what Chris Kyle did? Which only brings up a follow-up question: Could I do it? My initial reaction is: no way. However, I believe wholeheartedly in what he did and why he did it. I do not question or doubt what he did. He did what he had to do for the USA. We were/are at war against terrorism. Period. End of story. No questions.

So, no. I do not think God made me to be a sniper. Could I do it? If I had no other choice, you bet. God would give me the strength and know-how to do what I had to do (as He did with the American Sniper). That being said... I am just glad Chris Kyle (and all other snipers, spec ops, and other U.S. military) went against the easy way, against public opinion, and did what had to be done. For, I would not be sitting here today with these personal inner struggles if all the other U.S. Veterans in the past and present did not do what they did.

Ahh. There it is. A theme in the history of the USA that we tend to forget today. Americans do not take the easy way. Not true Americans. I will talk more about that in a little bit.
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CHRISTIANS AND WAR: DO THEY MIX?
Chris Kyle, an American Sniper, was a Christian man who went to war to fight for our freedom, on behalf of God and the USA. This brings up a question: Do Christians go to war? Wait. No. This brings up several questions: Is it against the Bible for Christians to go to war? How do Christians go to war? Isn't God a God of peace? Killing is against the Bible and goes against the sixth commandment, right?
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DOESN'T GOING TO WAR, AND KILLING, GO AGAINST THE BIBLE?
The sixth commandment is quoted as: Thou shall not kill.That is incorrect.

If you look at the original language in which the commandment was written, which was Hebrew, the correct word is: MURDER. Not kill.

Do not trust any pastor or translation of the Bible. Instead, go to the original source, the original document, and find out what it really means--for yourself.

Murder is taking life for no reason and doing so on your own. It's premeditated.

Going to war for your country is different. This is particularly true with a declared where the enemy is targeted--now innocents.

I will journal more about this later. Stay tuned.
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CAN THE USA GET RIGHT WITH GOD?
Can the U.S. get right with God or are we too late?

Can our land be healed?

Can we have a revival?

Can prayer change your things and make a difference?

More questions to ask and ponder.

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A NEW BLOG ABOUT THE STRUGGLES OF LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN AMERICAN

USA JOURNALING 2015 #1
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A NEW BLOG ABOUT THE STRUGGLES OF LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN AMERICAN

Welcome to a new blog. It's about my journaling thoughts as a Christian American, with family who has been here since 1607, and what it means to be both and live in the United States of America today.

Those qualities in my life give me a very unique perspective of the state of affairs of this country and what it means to be a Christian here at this time.

I will warn you. I am a patriot and support the United States military. Also, I am conservative. So, you will see these biases throughout this blog.

However, I am struggling about what it means to be American today and what it means to be a Christian in the U.S. today. What does this mean? What does this look like?

What does God want me to do and how does He want me to live as a Christian American?

What about the War on Terror? What does this mean as a Christian?

What about terrorism?

What about politics?

What about current events?

What about our Forefathers and Foremothers?

What about the Church and the USA?

What about the Church and war?

What about the Church and terrorism?

Is the USA going to fall?

What about the last days of the Bible?

This blog will be my reflection as I focus on the social, political, global, national, military, and spiritual dimensions of life (and issues) in the USA, as a Christian, and a U.S. military supporter.

How can I be the best Christian American that I can be? What does this mean and how do I live it? What does the Bible tell me about this?

I will journal about this and see where I am led. Care to join me on your own journey to see what it means to be an American today and/or what it means to be a Christian American?

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering your Present, LLC 2008-2015.)

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Blessings,

--Stacy Duplease
http://RYPJournaling.blogspot.com
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HDX Tablet

VETERAN'S DAY 2014 AND A NEW BLESSINGS COUNTED CHALLENGE

HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY

Happy Veteran's Day to all who serve and have served.

Thank you, and your family, for your service.

We would not have the quality of life we do here in the United States of America if not for you. Thank you for protecting the freedoms most of us take for granted.

God bless you and the United States of America.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present 2008-2014.)

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VETERAN'S DAY 2014 AND A NEW BLESSINGS COUNTED CHALLENGE

Written 2014-11-11 11:16:28, Tuesday

CHANGE AND A COURSE ADJUSTMENT

I find it quite interesting how even after forty years of living, and knowing the Blessings Giver, how much and how quickly things can change. This is what happened to me last night as I lied in bed and did a final cursory look at my email and I came upon a blog I absolutely adore and cherish, for it is because of the author, and the blog, I am a Blessings Counter. 

The change I experienced was because I read one sentence. Sometimes, that's all it takes. 

The change, actually, isn't as much of a change as a course adjustment. It's more like I'm headed in the correct direction, but my feet needed to adjust course by an inch or so. It's a course adjustment or fine-tuning, where I will see more and experience far more blessing because of it--and will be able to help you to do the same. 

The author of the blog and blog post is, as you might have guessed, Ann Voskamp, and the blog is A HOLY EXPERIENCE. 

Let me share the link with you now of the specific blog post:

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2014/11/why-thanksgiving-is-radically-subversive-and-everything-you-need-to-have-the-best-thanksgiving-yet/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aholyexperience.com%2F2014%2F11%2Fwhy-thanksgiving-is-radically-subversive-and-everything-you-need-to-have-the-best-thanksgiving-yet%2F&utm_content&utm_campaign=A+Holy+Experience+Blog+Post

Please read it and then continue to read this blog post or book chapter. (Thanks!)

Can you guess which sentence?

Hint: It's toward the bottom of the blog post and is highlighted in blue/turquoise.

Any guesses now? 

Yep. It's where Ann Voskamp shares how she is counting 1,000 Gifts/Blessings in one month. For her, it's during November. (How did I miss that? I read her blog every day.) The moment I read that, I realized I had to do it, too, starting today. The truth was, I already was, without even knowing it. 

And, yes. I HAD to do it. I felt immediately compelled. My spirit soared at the thought and I thought, "Count me in!" I wanted to immediately shout that out, but my husband was sleeping, so I held it inside. I pushed down the excitement, so I didn't wake him and so I could go to sleep. It worked. And, as I rolled over a couple of times in the night, I remember counting my blessings. I cannot remember what they were, but I know I did it. What a blessed way to wake. 

As Ann Voskamp pointed out, if you take 1000 divided by 30, that's a little over 33 blessings a day to count. 

A NEW BLESSINGS COUNTED CHALLENGE

1 THE DAILY CHALLENGE: As it is, I've challenged us to count on a normal day at least three blessings, each and every day of the year. 

2 END OF YEAR: Then, I said between now and the end of the year, let's count at least 10 (that's the End of the Year Blessings counted Challenge).

3 THANKSGIVING: I also added the Thanksgiving Blessings Counted Challenge, where we are counting 25 blessings between now and Thanksgiving. 

Now, I'm adding ANN VOSKAMP'S 1000 GIFTS IN A MONTH BLESSING COUNTED CHALLENGE.

You can pick which of those you want to do.

Note how they build on one another. If you choose #2, you naturally do #1 as well. And, the same goes down the line. If you pick 3, you're also doing 1 and 2--and if you choose 4, you do 1, 2, and 3. 

If you want to join me and do #4, we will start with whatever number is our next on our Blessing Counted List and will add 1,000 to that at least. This is our goal.

I am so excited! Care to join me for any of these Blessings Counted Challenges? If so, please, add a comment at the end of any blog post, or send me an email, and let me know. Let's be cheerleaders for one another. 

Have a blessed Veteran's Day!

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Remembering 9/11

Hello Patriots,

On this the 11^th anniversary of 9/11, there are many things which came to mind.  Over the years there are many of us who have heard the horror stories of what happened that terrible day.  Some of us look back with anger, sadness, maybe we feel numb at times.  There are those who think back on that day and think "what if…?"  (You fill in the blank; "what if we would have been better prepared?" or "what if we were a nation that was kinder to other nations?" might be what you ask.  Or maybe you simply ask "why us?")

Well, let's talk about that.  Why us?  Simple.  We are America; land of the free because of the brave.  We have not had a history of apologizing to other nations for who or what we are as Americans, at least not until recent history anyway.  We are a proud people, some are native to these lands and others from other shores, but all who found their way here legally have a place and purpose: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 

What if we were better prepared?  Again, simple.  Who in their right mind would even entertain the thought of hijacking a plane and using it as a weapon against other people?  Who would be so savage as to attack people who were doing nothing more than trying to make it through another Tuesday?  Who would do that?  Again, simple.  It would be a psychopathic group of soulless animals who had declared themselves to be sworn enemies of America.   They have no concept of thinking as we do.  They have ZERO appreciation or respect for ANYBODY with views different from their own.  Their "holy" book calls for the death of anyone not of a like faith.

They have no desire to dialogue or reason.  They seek the utter and absolute destruction of all with which they disagree.  Reasoning with them is of no use at all.  Anyone who claims to have the ability to reason with them can be successful only because he or she thinks as they do.  And if a person thinks as they do, the only way they can do that is if they are OF them.  Be wary of anyone who claims to "know how to talk with" this particular enemy, or "reason" with them, or says "I know these people."  That person is truly a wolf in sheep's clothing, seeking whom he can deceive or devour.  The only means of dialogue with this particular enemy is to root them out from wherever they can be found and defeat them with fatal finality.  Nobody cannot shake hands with the devil and not get burned.  I do not say that from experience; it's just common sense.  Think about it.  Before 9/11 this was only thought of by war-planners, then it was shelved as something so extreme that it would likely never be faced by our nation.  (But now we know we face an enemy who will stop at NOTHING)

The defense of America is absolutely paramount.  We can argue, disagree, vote people in, vote them out, even choose to sit silently…it's our right.  But realize this, there are MANY people, factions, groups who live, breathe, and have their being for a single purpose: the destruction of our beloved America.  9/11 should remind us of that.  President Bush said, "we will not tire, we will not falter, we will not fail."  If we do any one or more of those three though, WE WILL FALL.

We can agree, disagree, agree to disagree…but where the defense of America is concerned, we cannot let up for even a moment.  Our enemies are constantly on alert, looking for some weakness to exploit.  They will take whatever we give them.

America's defense is the business of great people who do what they do, in relative obscurity, so everyone else can go about their own purpose and vision of life, liberty, and their own pursuit of happiness.  Their numbers are being reduced, their funds are slashed, and their support is evaporating…by the way, all of this is playing us as a nation into the hands of a very patient enemy who will find a way to again bring us harm, but only if we let it happen. 

Our preparation as a nation must NEVER be allowed to slip.  But you might ask "didn't we deserve what we got?  Those people over there got tired of being bullied by us…they fought back against imperialism, blah, blah, blah…"  This kind of rhetoric is not only baseless, it is also senseless and quite dangerous.  How can I make those assertions?  Again, simple.  We are a nation who acts in our national interest and that of other nations who ally with us.  The attacks of September the eleventh were not sponsored nor conducted by another sovereign nation.  Rather, they were carried out by groups of thugs seeking nothing more than the downfall of America.  No nation sponsored them…in most cases nations can dialogue.  With this group there can be no dialogue…their way of thinking is such a radical departure from that of our own, communication is next to impossible.  Many Americans think if we are only kinder to them they will, in time, respond in kind.  Of course you think that way…you're an American!  We want to see the best in EVERYONE.  But do not let your desire to see good blind you to the reality that these people have been fatally poisoned with thoughts and feelings which fly in the face of anything any American would hold dear.

America was a victim of a sucker-punch on that day.  And like the unfortunate victim of rape, it WAS NOT OUR FAULT.  We did nothing to invite or deserve what happened that dark day.  And like the perpetrator of rape, these animals need to be decisively dealt with as the make themselves known. 

If it is true that the victim of rape is NEVER at fault, then the same can be said of America.  We did not get what we deserved.  What we deserved was to simply make it through another Tuesday and get home…all of us, to our families, our friends, and our lives.  What we got was a wake-up call and our lives changed, never to be the same again.

Did we learn anything at all from that day?  I think we did, but are we willing to act on it?  We cannot allow the War on Terror to return to our shores.  I would gladly serve in a faraway place to keep my America from harm.  I am NOT alone in that statement.  The true "1 percenters" keep America safe every day. 

We are at war not with simply different people, but against an ideology…a way of thinking which has its roots in a time centuries old.  It has been handed down for centuries and will not be "talked away" in a few mere months or years.  It is in their past, present, and in their desired future.  They do not want or even imagine anything remotely close to anything an American would hold dear.

But again, you're an American…you truly want to see the best, the kindest, the most loving and appreciative side of your fellow person…congratulations…you are just the target our enemy seeks to destroy.  For no other reason than you are an American, you would be eliminated from this life…rubbed off the face of the earth, because you have a value system which is vastly different from that of our enemy.  It is nothing personal…it's just how it would be if they had their way. 

Oh yes, they did have their way.  Remember September the eleventh?  Have you forgotten it already?  Have we as a nation forgotten?  Has our president even gotten the memo about it? 

Learn from history or we will likely suffer it again. 

All of those things I mentioned in the beginning of this writing, anger, sadness, etc., are stages of grief.  Grief happens as a result of loss.  But let us not forget what the very first stage of grief is: DENIAL. 

If you were not angered, saddened, or otherwise felt like you were kicked in the gut, maybe you have never really dealt with what happened to our entire nation that day…and you should take time to grieve in a healthy way.  But if you've moved past denial, sadness, anger, bargaining, numbness, etc., maybe you are at the point of accepting what has happened and are ready to help others lay aside petty differences and take up the cause for which America was founded: Freedom. 

Thomas Jefferson so rightly said that now and then the tree of liberty must be watered by the blood of patriots.  Where freedom lives, so do threats to freedom.  We cannot be in denial about that, for that would be grievous.  As much as we all want to see the best in others, it's sad, but simply not the way it is.  Deal with that however you must, then be about the business of keeping our nation strong, so you can be about the business of seeking the best of America.

We need everyone doing what they do to make America work…but, in the most basic sense, if America is crippled or falls, does anything else matter?  Do you really think the new power holder will allow you to enjoy the basic freedoms many of us so flippantly take for granted?  Really, do you?

No, we cannot tire, we cannot falter, and we dare not fail.  Ever.  We must stand united, not divided.  We cannot afford to be silent this election day and allow our military to be cut, lest we suffer the same fate we have previously; maybe worse.  This was our generation's Pearl Harbor.  Let us not allow our heirs to fall victim to one of their own. 

God Bless America...Let Freedom Ring!  VOTE!

~ Stacy's Husband